Growing system

Abstract

A growing system and/or plant support structure may include one or more feet supporting at least one or more uprights, on which a plurality of plants and/or grow boards for growing plants may be positioned. A nutrient delivery system may be positioned between opposing uprights to provide nutrient supply to a root zone of plants, which nutrient delivery system may be positioned adjacent each opposing upright in an interior chamber of the plant support structure. A light system may be positioned between two adjacent plant support structures such that it simultaneously provides light to the exterior surface of the two plant support structures. A collapsible light may be positioned adjacent plants and plant support structures for improved access to the plants or plant support structures while allowing variable and controllable light distribution beneficial to control of adjacent plants and plant structures.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of growing a plant, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning a first plant support structure in a controlled environment; wherein said first plant support structure comprises a nutrient delivery system; 
 b. positioning a second plant support structure in said controlled environment, wherein said second plant support structure comprises a nutrient delivery system, wherein said first plant support structure is laterally spaced from said second plant support structure to define an aisle therebetween; 
 c. positioning a light support above said aisle, wherein said light support includes a first extension extending upward from an upper end of said first plant support structure and a second extension extending upward from an upper end of said second plant support structure, and wherein said first extension and said second extension are secured to one another; 
 d. suspending a light system from said light support, wherein said light system is moveable between a first and second position, wherein said first position is defined as extending down to a lower portion of said first and second plant support structures, and wherein a second position is defined as being raised so as to allow access to said aisle; 
 e. retracting said light system to said second position; 
 f. positioning a grow board on said first plant support structure, wherein said plant is positioned on said grow board; 
 g. extending said light system to said first position; 
 h. illuminating said plant with light from said light system; 
 i. providing nutrients to said plant with said nutrient delivery system of said first plant support structure; 
 j. allowing said plant to grow to a level of maturity; 
 k. retracting said light system to said second position; and, 
 l. removing said grow board from said first plant support structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1  wherein said first plant support structure is further defined as comprising:
 a. a foot engaged with a floor surface; 
 b. a tray engaged with a top surface of said foot, wherein said foot elevates said tray from said floor surface, wherein said tray comprises a trough formed in said tray along a length thereof in a center of said tray; 
 c. a nutrient delivery system positioned in said trough; and, 
 d. a board frame engaged with said foot, said board frame comprising a first upright and a second upright configured to support said grow board, wherein said light support is engaged with a upper distal end of said first upright and an upper distal end of said second upright. 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2  wherein said light support is further defined such that said first extension and said second extension cooperate to form a first peak. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3  wherein said light system of said first plant support structure is further defined as comprising:
 a. a first upper panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein a first light source is positioned on said exterior surface; 
 b. a second upper panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein a second light source is positioned on said exterior surface, wherein said interior surface of said first upper panel is opposed to said interior surface of said second upper panel, and wherein said first upper panel and said second upper panel are spaced apart from one another; and, 
 c. a lower panel positioned between said first and second upper panels, wherein said lower panel has a first surface and a second surface, wherein a third light source is positioned on said first surface, and wherein a fourth light source is positioned on said second surface. 
 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 3  wherein said first light support is further defined as comprising:
 a. a third extension extending upward from said upper end of said second plant support; 
 b. a fourth extension extending upward from said upper end of said second plant support, wherein a lower end of said third extension and a lower end of said fourth extension cooperate to form a second valley, wherein an upper end of said first extension and an upper end of said third extension cooperate to form a first peak, and wherein an upper end of said second extension and an upper end of said fourth extension cooperate to form a second peak. 
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5  wherein said light system is further defined as being suspended from said first and third extensions. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  6  wherein said light system is further defined as including a plurality of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1  wherein said first plant support structure is further defined as comprising a first upper rail having a first end and a second end, wherein said first upper rail first end is engaged with a first upright adjacent an upright upper distal end thereof, and wherein said first upper rail second end is engaged with a second upright adjacent an upright upper distal end thereof.